South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) announced that North Korea launched 2 ballistic missiles, one of which is short-range, towards the northeast.
North Korea, which maintains its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile program despite the economic sanctions imposed and the reaction of the international community, continues to take steps that escalate tensions in the region. In a statement made by the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), it was reported that Pyongyang launched a short-range ballistic missile in the northeast direction from the Jangyon region in South Hwanghae province around 05:05 local time. In the statement, it was stated that another missile of unidentified type was fired at around 05:15, while the missiles flew 600 kilometers and 120 kilometers respectively. It was stated that the second test was considered a failure because the missile traveled a small distance.
“We strongly condemn North Korea’s missile tests, which are clear provocations”
“We strongly condemn North Korea’s missile tests, which seriously threaten the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and are a clear provocation,” the statement said, noting that the South Korean military continues its surveillance and analysis activities in cooperation with US forces. It was emphasized that the South Korean military is ready to respond to any provocation with determination.
North Korea condemned the trilateral joint exercise
Last week, the US, South Korea and Japan conducted a 3-day wide-ranging joint military exercise called “Freedom Edge” in the waters south of Jeju Island. The exercise, which was attended by the US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt and many warships and aircraft belonging to 3 countries, drew the reaction of Pyongyang. “We strongly condemn the United States, South Korea and Japan for their reckless and provocative displays of military force against the DPRK and other sovereign states in the region, and once again solemnly warn of the deadly consequences,” the North Korean Foreign Ministry said in a statement yesterday.
Pyongyang warned of “aggressive and crushing measures”
Emphasizing that Pyongyang will not ignore moves that threaten the security environment on the Korean Peninsula and global peace and stability, the statement said, “We will continue to firmly defend the sovereignty, security and interests of our state and regional peace with aggressive and overwhelming measures.”
